Re: Message for Dan - Thermal Image Plotters

[Dan Brosemer <odin@cleannorth.org>]

On Fri, May 18, 2001 at 12:19:31PM -0400, don.mcgorman@mnr.gov.on.ca wrote:
> I recall that you were working on making some decisions about the Clean
> North plotter collection.

Timely.  I'm planning on going in tonight to have a look at them.  I intend
on getting the second HP going, and finding out what I can about the thing
in there that might be a t/wax.

> I found two Calcomp thermal imaging plotters in storage at the MNR that will
> be headed to BOYD III.  One is a Drawing Master 600 and the other is a
> Drawing Master Plus.

Well, that settles it.  We have a Calcomp DM600 in the back, and I thought
it was t/wax.  Thanks for confirming it.

Generally, t/wax is capable of some excellent output, but they're not known
for their reliability, and I know little about the construction, so it may
take a bit for me to get up to speed to the point where I might be able to
diagnose any problems with them.

> I expect that these plotters are not all that useful as, among other things,
> they require special paper.

I haven't priced it, but keep in mind that _all_ plotters require special
paper.  Ink plotters need high-absorbtion glossy bond, t/wax needs some
crazy weird coating... it might be slightly more expensive, but it's not a
huge difference AFAIK.

But the big question is if MNR has any of the expendables?  (paper?, wax?
(you must have to load those things with wax), etc.)  It might be useful if
we could get our hands on them (the expendables, not the plotters) before
the event so I could test our DM600 and see what I can learn about them.

Hey, how about manuals?

TIA
-Dan

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